I just had an engine survey on the 1986 C27 I bought. The surveyor says the heat exchanger is leaking and needs to be overhauled or replaced. My question is, does anybody have any experience doing this and how easy/hard is to remove and replace the heat exchanger? I would have someone else overhaul it. Second question is, where to buy a new heat exchanger? Thanks.
Leaking Heat Exchanger Universal M18
- Thread starter Dave Rogers
- Start date
- Status
New
A 21 year old heat exchanger that is leaking, presumably as a result of corrosion, is not rebuildable. Mine was perforated throughout. I have an M25 and took this opportunity to up-size from the originally inadequate one, to a 3" diameter one. They are not cheap, but they are made from lots of fairly expensive material, and lots of labor. I recall mine was about $450. I bought mine from Hansen Marine in Marblehead, MA. In stock, very quick service - got it the next day UPS brown.
A 21 year old heat exchanger that is leaking, presumably as a result of corrosion, is not rebuildable. Mine was perforated throughout. I have an M25 and took this opportunity to up-size from the originally inadequate one, to a 3" diameter one. They are not cheap, but they are made from lots of fairly expensive material, and lots of labor. I recall mine was about $450. I bought mine from Hansen Marine in Marblehead, MA. In stock, very quick service - got it the next day UPS brown.
Heat Exchanger
Don't forget to regularly inspect the pencil zinc which is most likely completely eaten away as mine was. If the PO had kept a good zinc in there, it may have lasted a few years longer. Some models come with a gasket under the end cap while others didn't. If this is where your leak is coming from, you could try ordering a new gasket. If it is leaking from the zinc fitting, you could always tighten that. I've seen some people epoxy over the pin holes to extend the life, but you would have a LOT of water sucked in the boat through the coolant intake if your heat exchanger were to rupture. 20+ yrs is a good service life in my opinion. Best to replace for piece of mind and those aboard. Tim
Don't forget to regularly inspect the pencil zinc which is most likely completely eaten away as mine was. If the PO had kept a good zinc in there, it may have lasted a few years longer. Some models come with a gasket under the end cap while others didn't. If this is where your leak is coming from, you could try ordering a new gasket. If it is leaking from the zinc fitting, you could always tighten that. I've seen some people epoxy over the pin holes to extend the life, but you would have a LOT of water sucked in the boat through the coolant intake if your heat exchanger were to rupture. 20+ yrs is a good service life in my opinion. Best to replace for piece of mind and those aboard. Tim
- Status